Over 600 historical re-enactors, two tall ships and a long boat will be part of the spectacle that will mark the bicentennial of the Battle of Crysler’s Farm July 13-14.

In the weeks leading up to the event, Bob Irvine, a member of the Friends of Crysler’s Battlefield, the non-profit organization that has for 13 years hosted the Crysler’s Farm battle re-enactments, spoke about the coming event and the future needs of the Crysler’s Farm organization.

The Battle of Crysler’s Farm was one of the most important battles of the War of 1812, as it kept control of the upper lakes out of the hands of the Americans.

“There’s only one 200th,” said Irvine, who with fellow organizers have kept that in mind throughout their preparations for the weekend event.

The Friends are all volunteer and they are at arm’s length from Upper Canada Village in terms of funding, although they do work in partnership with them because the Battlefield land belongs to the St. Lawrence Parks Commission.

Looking to the future, beyond this weekend’s event, Irvine says that the Friends organization which has about 65 members, including only six or seven very active volunteers, is in desperate need of more volunteers.

“We need people to step up and keep this going,” said Irvine, explaining that the organization’s president, Robin Morris is expected to step down this year for health reasons.

Irvine is from Johnstown, and says that of those who belong to the organization, most are from farther afield than South Dundas, where the site is actually located. “We have only two people who are from the Morrisburg/Iroquois area,” he said.

Of this weekend’s event, Irvine added that re-enctors are coming from as far away as California to participate in the 200th anniversary of the Battle of Crysler’s Farm. “That’s how big this is in the re-enactment community.”

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Beyond 21 is a new initiative focused on connecting young adults living with developmental disabilities to a variety of community services.

The program, in partnership with the Upper Canada Leger Centre of Education and Training (UCLCET), plans to begin mid-January 2012, and is open to adults over the age of 21.

Interim Executive Director Kevin Cooper says the purpose of the program is to help those who are no longer eligible for the school system to continue to use valuable community services in a structured, community-based, and simplified way.

Cooper says Beyond 21 truly is a grass roots program that started at home.

“My wife Cathy was concerned about the lack of opportunities for our niece who had recently completed high school,” he said. “We invited some interested community members and educators to come to our home to discuss the issue. We met once a month and we learned a lot in the first little while.

“Later, in association with UCLCET, we held a town hall meeting where more than 100 people attended,” he added. “We created working groups. Retired principal Garry Atchison and I travelled around the province to see similar grass roots programs. There were programs in Brantford, Markham, Orillia, North Bay and more. We analyzed the commonalities.”

Now, with a board of directors, the Beyond 21 program will be offered out of a space in the former General Vanier Intermediate School (GVIS) building.

“I was part of a group of people who were increasingly concerned about the resource issues pertaining to supporting students graduating from our programs,” Cooper said. “It’s so important for these young adults living with developmental disabilities to maintain that structure, connection and opportunity that they once had in the school system. We want to provide them with something to look forward to every day; somewhere they feel safe.

Cooper emphasizes the fact that Beyond 21 is to be a community hub.“We are very much committed to developing a community-based program,” he said. “In no way do we want Beyond 21 to be a segregated, stand-alone entity.”

Cooper says Beyond 21 has already partnered with local food programs including Healthy Eating for Better Learning, Cornwall Green Food Box, and All Things Food to help participants gain valuable skills and confidence.

“One of our goals is to start producing some of the products for the Healthy Eating for Better Learning breakfast program,” Cooper said. “Plus, we want to assist in getting those products to the schools.

“In addition, we’re going to help with the distribution program for the Cornwall Green Food Box initiative,” he outlined. “These are some very exciting partnerships.”

Cooper says that he looks forward to starting the program, and seeing how it evolves.

“We have a great board with very committed folks,” he said, noting that the first director of Beyond 21 was Tish Humphries of Lancaster. Above all, Cooper is grateful for the guidance and leadership of David K. Thomas, Chair of the UCLC.

Contact 613-933-5595, EXT. 0, 613-932-7170 or Beyond21@uclc.ca for additional information on the program.

Planning for the upcoming WDMH Auxiliary’s Bazaar was front and centre at the August 8, meeting of the group’s board of directors.

The popular event will be held at the Joel Steele Community Centre in Winchester the year on October 19. The official opening will take place at 11 a.m.

An elevator is available for those who would find the stairs an obstacle.

Returning features are: the bake table, produce sale, silent auction, tea room, sale of cheese and honey and a 50/50 raffle. A door prize will also be awarded and the auxiliary’s award winning Christmas Plum Puddings will be available for $12 each.

New this year will be a fashion show and sale of Jockey Ladies’ wear, and other local vendors with handmade items at reasonable prices. Everyone is welcome to attend this auxiliary fund raiser.

Hospital CEO Cholly Boland informed the board that a five year strategic plan for the hospital has been finalized.

It focusses on three areas: continuing the positive things being done now, working closely with the community in palliative care and care for seniors and researching ways to better serve the rural population.

In closing, Boland expressed his sincere appreciation for all that the hospital’s volunteers do for WDMH.

The Auxiliary provided state of the art Baxter IV pumps to the hospital last year at a cost of $297,000 and has agreed to purchase several more with the cost of the additional units being $55,00.

Volunteer coordinator Alan Archer told the board that volunteers offered 925 hours of service to WDMH in July bringing the total for 2013 to 6,592.

He emphasized that new volunteers are always needed at the hospital and anyone interested in offering a few hours each month may contact him at the hospital.

President Nancy Farley-Holmes announced that three local, longtime hospital volunteers will receive Provincial Life Membership Awards this year.

The well-deserving recipients are Grace McAuley, Ruth Shearing and Betty Wilson. These awards are presented at the Hospital Auxiliaries Association of Ontario convention which will be held in Toronto in November.

All members of the auxiliary are invited to attend a membership meeting on Thursday, September 12, 1:30 p.m. in room C401 at the hospital. It will include an informative and relevant presentation in the area of health care.